Virginia's Style Has Changed, But Mission Remains the Same

The Virginia men's lacrosse team that beat Cornell 11-9 on March
12 earlier this season is drastically different then one you'll see
Saturday in the NCAA Division I quarterfinals when the teams meet
again, this time at Hofstra University on Long Island.

Seventh-seeded Virginia (10-5) clawed back from deficits of 4-1
and 10-6 against Bucknell in the first round and won in overtime,
13-12, when Matt White scored with 2:33 left off a pass from Steele
Stanwick.

Just getting to that point is uncharacteristic of the Cavaliers,
who have been riddled with more adversity then head coach Dom
Starsia would like.

"We've been a work in progress throughout the season," he said,
"more so then we preferred. We've never stopped working. We've been
forced to retool on the fly."

Stanwick, a Tewaaraton Trophy finalist and ACC Player of the
Year, has been hampered by foot and calf injuries since before the
Ohio State game in March, and Matt Lovejoy is out for the year
after undergoing shoulder surgery before the Johns Hopkins loss
March 26.

It was less then perfect timing with Hopkins, Maryland, North
Carolina and two games against Duke on the slate. Virginia went 1-4
in that stretc, with its only win coming against the Tar Heels on
April 9.

"It was a hard education on the fly," said Starsia, who is one
win away from breaking Jack Emmer's Division I victory total of
326. "As we had to make some personnel decisions, the notion of our
team changed. We're a different team now then we were then. We're
not a team on offense that can generate 50 shots a game; we need to
be more efficient. We need to take better care of the ball. It's
required now in order for us to be effective."

By personnel decisions, Starsia means the Brattons. The lacrosse
world is all too familiar with the dismissal of Shamel Bratton and
indefinite suspension of his twin brother Rhamel Bratton, who won't
play Saturday. This changed Virginia's complexion on the field
offensively, forcing the Cavaliers to generate less from the
midfield rather and more from behind the cage.

"When we were full-strength we'd challenge you and win a lot of
battles," Starsia said. "We picked our spots a little better."

Looking at the shot totals alone against Bucknell, the 47-30
disadvantage tells a story of changed paths in offensive
construction.

"We just don't have that anymore," Starsia said.

As for defense, without Lovejoy, the Cavaliers are more
conservative and have sometimes employed a zone. Starsia said the
group has improved the last couple of weeks, but is not as strong
as the beginning of the season.

The Stanwick injury had the same affect, but he's able to finish
the season. He's thrown the team on his back and is only starting
to feel better, Starsia said. For nearly five weeks he did not
practice once.

"It was very frustrating for him," Starsia said of Stanwick, who
leads Virginia with 57 points (26g, 31a). "We've come to appreciate
how tough Steele is."

As for second-seeded Cornell (14-2), its lineup is remarkably
similar to the original match p in March, only the Big Red is
playing with more confidence. Excluding the Stanwick-Rob Pannell
battle for the Tewaaraton that will take place under the fold of
the playoff atmosphere, anything's possible come game time.

"They know exactly who they are," Starsia said. "I see a
complete lacrosse team, and we're going to have our hands full this
weekend."

The winner plays Saturday, May 28 in the final four against
either No. 3 Johns Hopkins or No. 6 Denver.